Tech Innovation Lab | PAS MOROCCO FY26 03

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Tech Innovation Lab (PAS-MOROCCO-FY26-03)

1) What is the Tech Innovation Lab grant?

The Tech Innovation Lab is a U.S. Mission to Morocco public diplomacy grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAS-MOROCCO-FY26-03; Assistance Listing 19.040) that will fund one national, cohort-based program to build practical, job-relevant innovation skills among Moroccans in two to four cities. The award is supported by FY26 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

The program is intended to help participants build hands-on innovation skills and develop practical solutions to real-world problems using American technology tools and business practices, with a strong emphasis on U.S.-developed platforms and applied use of artificial intelligence. The focus is on solution-building that can be tested, improved, and scaled (not academic research).

3) What does "public diplomacy" mean in this grant context?

Based on the opportunity description, public diplomacy here includes advancing U.S. leadership and visibility in innovation and technology in Morocco, creating direct exposure to U.S. technology companies and commercial approaches, and supporting engagement between Moroccan participants and U.S. experts, companies, and innovation ecosystems.

4) How many awards will be made?

The opportunity anticipates one award.

5) What is the maximum funding amount?

Funding is capped at a total of USD 200,000, pending availability of funds.

6) What type of award instrument is this?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which includes substantial involvement by the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Office during implementation.

7) What does the cooperative agreement structure mean for implementation?

Per the notice, the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office will have substantial involvement, including providing branding guidance; approving marketing and promotional materials; approving venues; reviewing and approving recruitment and selection plans for participants and trainers; helping identify U.S. exchange alumni, U.S. company representatives, and potential speakers; reviewing and approving speaker/trainer rosters; and reviewing and approving the content and formats of workshops, activities, site visits, and related programming. The Embassy may also amplify the program through U.S. Mission social media and media contacts.

8) What kind of program model is expected?

Applicants are asked to propose a cohort model implemented across two to four Moroccan cities. Each city should run a dedicated cohort lasting roughly three to four months. Cohorts may run sequentially or overlap depending on implementer capacity.

9) How long can the overall project last?

The overall project must be completed within 18 months or less. The expected performance period is 12 to 18 months.

10) When is the anticipated project start date?

The anticipated start is around October 2026.

11) Is continuation funding possible after the initial period?

Yes. The Department of State notes it may consider non-competitive continuation funding beyond the initial period if funds are available, performance is strong, and continued support aligns with Department interests.

12) Who should the program serve (participant eligibility)?

Participants should be Moroccan citizens living in the target cities. They are typically university students, recent graduates, or early-career professionals.

13) Do participants need a specific educational or professional background?

A background in technology, business, or related fields is preferred but not mandatory. Applicants should recruit participants who show real interest in applying technology to practical challenges.

14) Is English required for participants?

Basic English proficiency is preferred, reflecting the program's focus on U.S. tools, mentorship, and exposure to American experts and platforms.

15) What skills or capacity areas does the program emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes capacity building in three connected areas: (1) technical skills (including AI and other U.S.-developed tools), (2) U.S.-style product development and innovation methods (how to design, validate, and iterate solutions), and (3) business model thinking that supports market relevance and scalability.

16) What sectors or problem areas should projects focus on?

The program is framed around solving real-world problems in priority sectors important to Morocco's economy, including agriculture, fisheries and the blue economy, logistics, tourism, and services.

17) Is academic research an acceptable primary activity under this grant?

No. The intent is not academic research. Proposals should focus on practical solution-building with a clear public diplomacy component tied to U.S. engagement and visibility.

18) What kind of U.S. connection is expected in the program?

Applicants are expected to facilitate connections between Moroccan participants and U.S. experts, companies, and innovation ecosystems, and to emphasize the use of American technology tools, U.S.-developed platforms, and U.S. business practices.

19) What cities should be included?

The notice specifies two to four cities in Morocco but does not name specific cities. Applicants are expected to select target cities and design the cohort model accordingly.

20) What costs are specifically highlighted as allowable in the notice?

The notice highlights: participant travel and per diem (as needed for in-person sessions); venues and connectivity (workshop space, equipment, internet access); trainer and speaker costs (honoraria and travel for American and local experts); program materials such as software licenses for U.S.-based platforms and training supplies; communications and outreach for recruitment and visibility; and monitoring and evaluation costs.

21) Are there restrictions on how funds can be used?

Yes. The notice flags that activities must comply with U.S. government regulations and public diplomacy guidelines; funds cannot be used for construction; major equipment purchases are generally not allowed unless directly tied to program delivery; and proposals should not be purely academic or research-focused without a clear public diplomacy component tied to U.S. engagement and visibility.

22) What is the application deadline?

Applications are due by July 13, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+1.

23) How do applicants submit the application?

Applications must be submitted by email to RabatGrants@state.gov.

24) What forms and documents are required for submission?

Required components include: SF-424 and SF-424A; a proposal narrative of up to 10 pages; a separate budget justification narrative; and attachments such as one-page CVs for key personnel, letters of support from partners, the organization's NICRA if indirect costs are included, and any required permission letters for activities.

25) What are the formatting requirements?

All materials must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages must be numbered, and documents must be formatted for 8.5 x 11 paper using single-spaced 12-point Calibri with one-inch margins.

26) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include Moroccan and U.S. non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and civil society organizations with proven experience in STEM programming, youth engagement, and innovation.

27) Are SAM.gov registration and a UEI required?

Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration for eligibility and throughout the life of any resulting award.

28) If an organization includes indirect costs, what documentation is needed?

If indirect costs are included, the organization's NICRA must be provided as an attachment.

29) What is expected regarding recruitment and selection of participants and trainers?

The Embassy will review and approve recruitment and selection plans for participants and trainers, and will also review and approve speaker/trainer rosters.

30) What is expected regarding program visibility and branding?

The Embassy will provide branding guidance and must approve marketing and promotional materials. The program may also be amplified through U.S. Mission social media and media contacts.

31) What is the expected emphasis on artificial intelligence?

The opportunity calls for a strong emphasis on U.S.-developed platforms and the applied use of artificial intelligence as part of hands-on training and applied project work.

32) What is the expected outcome focus (jobs and economic impact)?

The program is expected to contribute to local economic growth and job creation by helping participants develop solutions with credible pathways to real-world use, market relevance, and scalability.

33) What is meant by "hands-on training and applied project work" in this notice?

The notice describes a practical approach where participants build solutions to real problems, then test, improve, and scale them, rather than focusing on academic study or research outputs.

34) What kinds of activities might require Embassy approval?

Based on the notice, the Embassy will approve venues; marketing and promotional materials; recruitment and selection plans; speaker/trainer rosters; and the content and formats of workshops, activities, site visits, and related programming.

35) What should applicants keep in mind when designing a multi-city budget?

The notice indicates budgets should be detailed and realistic for a multi-city program and should account for items such as participant travel/per diem (when needed), venues/connectivity, trainer and speaker costs, software licenses and supplies, outreach/communications, and monitoring and evaluation.